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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Priene |
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For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
For photographs please click on the photo...  |
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Type:
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City |
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Altitude:
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m |
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Region:
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Aegean |
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Province:
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Aydin |
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District:
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Söke |
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Village:
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Güllübahçe |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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Classical |
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| Location: It is situated within the boundaries of the Güllübahçe Town to the southwest of the Söke District in Aydin. |
| Geography and Environment: Priene was founded on the skirt of the Mount Samsun (Mycale). Strabo mentioned Mykale as a mountain full of animals surrounded by trees. The city overlooks a wide and flat plain. The plain once used to be a sea. Strabo mentioned how the alluvial deposits by the Meander River turned Priene into an inland city. Scylax informs that Priene had two harbors. It is known that the Naulochus Harbor, which was a present by Alexander the Great to the city wass within the boundaries of the ancient city of Priene. |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: It was intially excavated in 1895 by C. Humann, and followed by Th. Wiegand until 1898. The excavations condcuted by the British Society of Dilettanti were published earlier than these excavations. Between 1992 and 2000 W. Raeck and W. Koening from the Technical University of Munich led the excavations. From 2001 to 2013 W. Raeck was the site director. Between 2014 and 2017 the directorate of Milet Museum was in charge of the excavations at Priene. Since 2018 H. Mert has been conducting the work at Priene. |
| Stratigraphy: |
| Small Finds: Architecture: Immediately after the foundation of New Priene in 350 BC, nice and strong city walls were built. The Temple of Athena Temple, which was the earliest and most important structure of Priene was founded at the highest spot of the city, and was dated to the 3rd quarter of the 4th century BC. The Theatre of Priene, which is also one of the most important structures of both the Hellenistic Period and the Ancient Age at Priene, was built during the second half of the 4th century BC. The Sanctuary of Demeter dedicated to Demeter and Kore, one of the earliest worshipping sites of the city, and the altar were built during the Hellenistic Period. The earliest school and gymnasium of the city, which is the Upper Gymnasium was built during the second half of the 4th century BC or during 4th century BC. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: According to Herodotus, Priene was one of the twelve Ionian cities, and one of the earliest settlements of the Ionian world as Panionion, the political and religious center of Ionia, was located within the boundaries of this city. Strabo mentioned that Priene was founded first by Aipytos, the son of Neleus, and then by Philotas who brought a group of immigrants from Thebes. However, the original site is unknown. Absence of any coins that can be dated earlier than 350 BC indicates that the city was not originally founded at the present site. It is likely that the original occupation was on a peninsula. The only find relating to this original site is an electrum coin with Athena's head on the obverse, presumably minted around 500 BC, and uncovered in a treasure at Klazomenai. The New Priene was founded at the present location. It is known that the new city of Priene was founded with the help and support of Athens in 350 BC. The city became a member of Amphictyonic League in 343 BC. The 4th century BC and Hellenistic Period structures which were uncovered during the excavations are regarded as principal examples of the Hellenic art in terms of value and significance. Furthermore, the ancient city of Priene represents the earliest and most beautiful examples of the Hippodamian city plan among the Hellenic world cities. The Temple of Athena was built by the architect Pytheos, who also built the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. |
